| Author | Message | ||
     Ridrx |
Hey Court, Well, one has already caught fire(Saintly I believe), does someone have to actually get killed before this is taken seriously at BMC? I LOVE my 12R, but this kinda makes me wonder if I need to carry a fire extinguisher. Please don't take this as bashing or whatever, just genuine concern for fellow Buellers(and myself). | ||
| Ducxl |
Ditto,i'm worried about my '05 12r as well.I'm about to do winter maintainance on it and will surely do a close inspection there. If i find a defective reflector(big IF),would/could i expect BMC to take responsibility? | ||
| Ridrx |
Ducxl, I would not count on ANY help from BMC. This problem has been utterly ignored by Buell to this point. My R is about 7mos. old and already starting to dim. I haven't had anything bad to say about my bike to this point, but such a disregard for our safety is absolutely inexcuseable. A friend of mine is working on a chrome plated stamped tin insert, we'll see. If it can be done cheaply we are thinking about selling them at cost (Not looking for profit just safer riding  ). Of course we do not want to offend anyone(sponsors) so if it comes to fruition we WILL get all the necessary approval. Good luck and ride safe. | ||
| Court |
>>>This problem has been utterly ignored by Buell to this point. >>>but such a disregard for our safety is absolutely inexcuseable. I'd ask you to support, or explain to me why you think those statements have one iota of validity? It sounds like emotion talking. Is your friend going to perform the required tests, figure about 8-10 months and $200K, that Buell would be required to? Is your friend willing to make performance claims and representations about his, let's call it what it is "shade tree fix" before he completes it. What "necessary approvals" is your friend intending to get? I don't mean to sound harsh but Buell has an unequaled, in the motorcycle industry, proven track record of standing behind their product and a history (can you say SHOCK ABSORBER) of erring on the side of safety when things are gray. In addition, I'm quite sure you know not one soul at Buell or that "disregard" statement wouldn't even have crossed your mind. If you are ever in the East Troy area, please let me know. I'd like to take you on a tour and have you meet some of the people you think have "disregard" for you safety. Court | ||
| Ducxl |
It sounds like emotion talking. May I ? . . . . . . . . . May I pleeeeeese??? May I pleeeeeeeeeeeesssseee???? "that would be an accurate statement"  You've probably heard the chatter regarding this problem.Many are wondering how significant a problem it is.I haven't noticed my XB dimming,but will investigate. I recognize it would be difficult to comment on an issue with potential legalities.Let's all hope that if it is significant,BMC will issue recalls......or something like "goodwill". | ||
| Ridrx |
Court, Let me start by saying without doubt I LOVE MY BUELL. BadWeb has been the source of invaluable information for me pertaining to maint., etc....ThankYou 1. This problem has been reported to Buell by consumers and dealers alike with no action taken on Buell's part. 2. By the lack of response for assistance with this issue I can only surmise that there is in fact no intent to do anything about it. 3. Yes that IS emotion talking, and though you try to discredit my statements altogether because of emotion, I find it difficult not te be after I paid nearly $10,000 for a brand new bike and seven months later the lights are so dim as to be useless after dark. My emotion doesn't negate the fact that this problem exists. 4." 8-10 mos./ $200K that they WOULD be required to"? Buells problem. This money should have been spent by Buell already. 5. "my friend" is making NO claims whatsoever, as he has no need to. Our "shadetree fix" ,as you so smugly put it, would not be necessary if my headlights worked to start with. The "necessary approval" would have been in regards to his not being a sponsor of BadWeb and simply wanting to make available a low cost PERMANENT solution(buying a new housing every 6mos. is NOT a solution, and I refuse to use tin foil, etc, on a $10k bike). 6. I am aware of the shock absorber recall. 7. I will apologize for the "disregard" statement, as I do in fact not know any of the fine folks at BMC. 8. If ever I am in E.Troy, I would LOVE a tour. I do not wish ill will towards Buell, but it is frustrating to say the least that there hasn't been even an acknowledgement of this issue as of yet. I do not doubt that EVENTUALLY BMC will do something. Just hope that happens before anyone is hurt.  | ||
| Ridrx |
Ducxl, YOU may wonder "how significant" it is. I have been hit by a car on a bike before and I can say without doubt that you do not want to discover that cages cannot see you the hard way. | ||
| Damnut |
I find my low beam extremely dim. I always ride with both my low and high beams on at night because of this and I never get flashed by oncoming traffic for having my highbeam on. This is a fairly new headlight assembly that was replaced last winter because of a crash. I am yet to take the housing apart to check to see if it is the coating. When I do I will take photos and post them if the reflective coating is as bad as people say it is. I'm going to have the front fairing off in a couple of weeks for some upgrades. I don't know if this is a Buell problem or not but I can say that my lowbeam is very dim on my bike. Maybe a few bad batches of headlights per year???? Who knows. Can we hear from a few folks that do not have an issue with their lights? That and whenever I don't have my highbeam on I am always told that I have a headlight out....................... in my best Napoleon Dynamite voice IDIOTS | ||
| Court |
Actually . . I'd like to hear from folks who **DO** have a problem with their headlights. BUT. . . I'd like to hear "name" (It's tough for me to get much attention when I tell folks that bikerdude 9, who's name I don't know has a problem with a Buell and he hasn't told me the model or where he is located. . think about it) of folks who are having a problem, where they are at, the VIN of the bike and a brief (less than 250 words) description of how the problem has evolved (did it suck when you got it or did it become worse over time). There may be more to this than meets the eye. What would you think if, for example, EVERY CASE was in the same county and it was a treatment the county used on the road (it's happened). Data is king. Calling the folks at Buell heartless folks with total disregard for people who buy their product moves the chess piece not one square forward. I have some ideas. | ||
| Fdl3 |
Email sent. | ||
| Ridrx |
Court, Thank you for turning your attention towards our problem. I understand you are a busy person and your time is valuable. You've got mail  | ||
| Court |
Mail got and I've done my thing. The folks at Buell are among the most concerned and diligent I have ever been associated with professionally or avocationally. Facts work and I'll MAKE time to deal with facts. Thank you for your concise write up. What happens from here is outside my control but it'll certainly not be ignored. | ||
| Ridrx |
Just hope it helps. I have given "my friend" the original housing to use as a mold. If it has not been altered yet I will save it. Meanwhile got a housing from a wrecked Bolt so I'm back in the saddle...for now. Thank You again. John | ||
| Dtx |
Email sent. | ||
| Cereal |
Ditto | ||
| Xb9 |
Ditto | ||
| Navygunner |
Thank you Court. Patrick | ||
| Court |
Received and thank you all for providing comprehensive, concise and meaningful comments. I have no idea about any causes, actions or outcomes, but assure you that the greatest opportunity for benefit befalling Buell owners is when things are done like this. Buell is subject to certain constraints and procedures, but I'm betting their able to be a lot more responsive than the feds. Remind me to tell you folks the story of the Ford Crown Victoria. . . when I do, you'll have a much keener insight into the process. Thanks, Court | ||
| Cereal |
Plastic intake manifold + 105 degree weather + A/C on high = blown V8. Is that the Ford Crown Vic story similar to yours? | ||
| Xblack_knight12r |
E-Mail sent with info. Thanks! | ||
| Cereal |
CHECK THIS OUT! http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/261789.html?1172856431 | ||
| Court |
You are all very welcome. Buell is VERY SERIOUS about ensuring, regardless of the issue, you have a great ownership experience. I am in the process of preparing for mid-terms and am going to review, later this afternoon, to make certain I processed all input I received. If you have NOT heard from Buell, please drop me a note so that I may check and ensure I got your input processed. By the way . . . this is a HUGE "WIN-WIN" deal. Scour the net, your friends and history books and find me a company capable of "partnering" so fluidly with the people using the product. . . . THIS is what the dream looks like. Court | ||
| Damnut |
THANK YOU COURT!!!!! | ||
| Clot |
Email sent | ||
| Spike |
Email sent Thanks Court! | ||
| Ducxl |
Huh,can you help a guy out? i discovered this while doing maintainance. I think it'll work for awhile w/o catching fire.Odd though how the books (P&S) list the beams reversed L for R | ||
| Damnut |
well I installed the new headlights on my XBR last night and went for a nice night ride to Providence. All I can say is WOW WHAT A FREAKIN DIFFERENCE!!!! I can actually see at night without the use of my highbeam. THANKS COURT AND BUELL!!!! | ||
| Court |
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| Ridrx |
Court, I never received an E mail from Buell about my lights, however in light of BMC's quick action and your personal time constraints I decided not to bother you, figuring I would hear something in a while. Still not rushing, but the post by Damnut leads me to believe the housings he has received are in fact the upgraded version. Surely they haven't been redesigned/ put into production this quickly? Can you clarify this for me? If they ARE the revised part I would like for you to resubmit my info if poss., so I too may again ride in the dark . Just let me know if I need to e-mail info to you again. Thanks for all your help. | ||
| Damnut |
I don't think my headlight is a revised version but I didn't take them apart before installing them. But they are new and are way brighter than my old ones. The reflective coating on my old low beam was pretty fried. My old lights were 3 years old and had a little over 13K on them. |
